The subject of establishing diplomatic parity with the Russian Federation is under consideration, says MP Adrian Cheptonar. According to the PAS lawmaker, this would be a solution for checking Russia’s “interference in domestic politics”.
“After Moldova declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata, and they responded tit for tat, I asked the Government to initiate discussions about diplomatic parity. I did not ask for an immediate establishment of this parity. The Government has analyzed this possibility, evaluating possible asymmetric response scenarios from the Russian Federation. And now we have reached an agreement, but it cannot be made public yet”, said Cheptonar during a talk show on Vocea Basarabiei.
Cheptonar questioned the good faith of some Russian diplomats in Moldova, suggesting they are here to foment political instability.
“American diplomats, for example, coordinate all kinds of investment programs. Thanks to the United States, we have road rehabilitation, participation with financing in various education programs, in local and infrastructure development. But if you ask me what the Russian Federation is doing in its relationship with Moldova today, other than interfering in our affairs and coordinating of all kinds of people who are trying to destabilize the situation and overthrow the government, I personally don’t have an answer. But I would really be curious to know, if they could do us a favor and say in a public statement what it is that they are doing”, said the PAS lawmaker.
Two days ago, Speaker Igor Grosu also announced that the option of diplomatic parity with Russia is being considered. This means that Moldova should accredit the same number of Russian diplomats as many Moldovan diplomats are accredited in the Russian Federation. Currently, the ratio stands at 6 Moldovan diplomats to 40 Russian diplomats.
